HomeMy WebLinkAboutWetlands Letter
June 4, 2025
Douglas K. Brush, Chair Inland Wetlands Commission Town of Montville 310 Norwich-New London Turnpike
Uncasville, CT 06382
(860) 848-1349 x753 Re: Town of Montville 62&66 Beechwood Rd
Oakdale, CT 06370
CLA-6767J Dear Mr. Brush:
On behalf of the applicant, CLA Engineers has performed a delineation and functional evaluation
of the inland wetlands at the referenced site and assessed the site to provide a basis for determining the potential for impacts. The inland wetland boundary was delineated by Robert Russo, CSS and Molly Ahern, MESM between 2023 and September 9, 2024. The wetland boundary and proposed development are shown on the plans prepared by CLA Engineers 5/23/25. These data were
augmented with additional online information from CTDEEP, USFWS, USGS, and the Town of
Montville. Site Setting
The site is comprised of a 0.39-acre parcel (62 Beechwood Rd) and a 0.44-acre parcel (66
Beechwood Rd) located on the southeast side of Beechwood Rd in Oakdale. Currently, the two parcels are developed for single-family residential use. The southern and eastern edges of the site are forested. An unnamed stream flows westward across the site and later joins Bogue Brook, part of the Niantic River system. The wetland lacks a natural buffer and does not appear to support
significant finfish habitat in its current state.
The surrounding neighborhood is zoned residential (R-20 and R-45) per the most recent update of the Town of Montville Zoning Regulations and is currently developed for medium-density single-family residential use.
Soils The upland soils mapped by NRCS are listed in the table below. No wetland (hydric) soils are mapped on the property. Additional descriptive details are provided in Appendix A.
CLA Engineers, Inc.
Civil Structural Survey
317 MAIN STREET NORWICH, CT 06360 (860) 886-1966 (860) 886-9165 FAX
Table 1 - Soil Types and Properties at the Beechwood Rd Site
Soil Series Parent Material Drainage Class Texture/Characteristics
Canton and Charlton Coarse-loamy melt-out till Well drained Fine sandy loam to gravelly fine sandy loam
The upland soil unit mapped in the study area consists of Canton and Charlton soils. The Charlton series consists of very deep, well drained soils formed in loamy melt-out till. They are nearly level
to very steep soils on moraines, hills, and ridges. The Canton series consists of very deep, well
drained soils formed in a loamy mantle underlain by sandy till. They are on nearly level to very steep moraines, hills, and ridges. Wetland Characteristics
Classification The National Wetlands Inventory (NWI https ://fwsprimary.wim.usgs.gov/ wetlands/apps/wetlands-mapper/) shows the onsite wetland as a R5UBH, a perennial riverine
system. The description of that classification is provided below.
Classification code: R5UBH
System Riverine (R) : The Riverine System includes all wetlands and deepwater habitats contained within a channel, with two exceptions: (1) wetlands dominated by trees, shrubs,
persistent emergents, emergent mosses, or lichens, and (2) habitats with water containing ocean-
derived salts of 0.5 ppt or greater. A channel is an open conduit either naturally or artificially created which periodically or continuously contains moving water, or which forms a connecting link between two bodies of standing water. Subsystem Unknown Perennial (5) : This Subsystem designation was created specifically for
use when the distinction between lower perennial, upper perennial, and tidal cannot be made
from aerial photography and no data is available. Class Unconsolidated Bottom (UB) : Includes all wetlands and deepwater habitats with at least 25% cover of particles smaller than stones (less than 6-7 cm), and a vegetative cover less than 30%.
Water Regime Permanently Flooded (H) : Water covers the substrate throughout the year in all
years. CLA’s field investigation indicates that the stream has a consolidated bottom of gravel through boulder sized substrate. The stream has been locally channelized where it enters and exits the
culvert under Beechwood Rd. Wetland hydrology The wetland is fed largely from its upstream watershed of approximately 0.34 sq. mi. and by stormwater away from impervious areas in the surrounding medium-density residential
neighborhood. The wetland therefore experiences a highly variable water table and high water velocities. We observed several amphibian users of the wetland during site visits on September 9-
10, 2024. The wetland vegetation along the stream is quite narrow, and the stream is well incised.
The water eventually flows into Bogue Brook (part of the Niantic River system). Notably, the Bogue Reservoir is downstream of this wetland, indicating that water quality in the wetland is important. Evidence of erosion is present on the side slopes of the stream at 62 Beechwood Rd.
Factors important to functional assessment
The following observations are important to the functional assessment and are listed here to provide context to the later discussion of functions and values.
1. Connecticut protected species are not known to be present on the site per the June 2024
update of the CTDEEP NDDB. Full NDDB map is included as Appendix B.
2. The wetland is associated with a watercourse, which is tributary to the Bogue Brook system.
3. The local zoning is residential (R-20, R-45) per the Town GIS, and the surrounding parcels
appear to be used for single-family residences.
4. The wetland has coarse-loamy melt-out till soils within per available online mapping.
5. The wetland is part of a larger watercourse system.
6. The wetland is fed by stormwater runoff from surrounding roads and lawns.
Principal functions
The functional assessment was conducted using the USCAE Highway Methodology (https://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Portals/74/docs/regulatory/Forms/HighwaySupplement6Apr2015.pdf). The assessment is included as Appendix C and it revealed that the wetland has the
following principal functions:
1. Floodflow alteration 2. Production export 3. Wildlife habitat
We also determined that the wetland has the potential to perform sediment and shoreline stabilization functions. However, as evidenced by the erosion present upslope of the wetland, the wetland appears to be underperforming at this function.
Potential for Impacts As shown on the project plans, the following activities are proposed within the wetland, disturbing a total of 3460 sq. ft. acres of wetland habitat:
1. Extension of the concrete pipe further into the wetland to reduce erosion impacts on
neighboring properties. 2. Installation of a pre-formed plunge pool 3. Construction of a low flow natural channel.
The proposed activities outlined above may impact the wetland’s principal functions in the
following ways: 1. Floodflow alteration: no changes are being proposed to the overall floodflow regime of the existing housing development; it is unlikely that the proposed activity will impact this function.
2. Production export: because wildlife food sources and flowering herbs are abundant upstream
in this wetland’s watershed, we anticipate no loss of production export functionality. 3. Wildlife habitat: the flow regime of the wetland is currently poor for finfish and the changes to the stream channel are designed to improve habitat in the reach of stream being altered. Moreover, because the observed amphibians in the wetland do not require abundant open
space to thrive, it is unlikely that wetland disturbance will negatively impact their habitat.
4. Sediment and shoreline stabilization: currently, this function is severely degraded, putting neighboring properties at risk of severe erosion. The proposed actions will restore the stream’s shoreline stabilization function by strengthening the shoreline, restoring the land and improving this function.
Alternatives There is an existing, ongoing erosion problem at the site. The erosion at 62 Beechwood Rd, as shown by the attached photographs, has eroded the neighbor’s yard and presents an ongoing
hazard. Taking no action would leave this hazardous situation in place and is not acceptable.
Another alternative, simply armoring the stream channel in place would leave the outlet at a location where future flood events would endanger the house at 62 Beechwood Rd. This is also not an acceptable solution. The chosen design, moving the outlet downstream so that it discharges downhill of the house is the best alternative for preserving the safety of the residents and
minimizing the erosive forces of the stream.
Description of the activity including location and square footage of disturbance.
The overall project consists of drainage repairs and augmentation of the existing stormwater system in Beechwood Rd. The work will be accessed from Beechwood Rd., lots 62 and 66 in Montville. The proposed development includes installing a new drainage pipe, a rip rap plunge pool and a natural stream channel using native stone. The regulated activity includes filling in a
portion of the stream channel and restoring additional stream channel. The new drainage system
is shown on the project plans. This work will be done only after meeting with town staff and installation of the proper erosion and sediment control measures. The work will be done with excavators, bulldozers and dump trucks.
Sediment and Erosion control As shown on the site plan, the following best management practices will be employed: 1. A dewatering set up with a dirt bag will be employed
2. Large natural boulders will be placed at the lower limit of the project
Machinery to be used Machinery will be used, and it will include typical heavy construction machines such as excavators, bulldozers, and dump trucks. Summary
In short, the proposed activities will result in a disturbance of 3460 sq. ft. of which 670 sq. ft. is
permanent fill. We do not anticipate any impacts to the wetland’s floodflow production export, or wildlife habitat functions. We expect the project to improve the wetland’s sediment and shoreline stabilization function.
Sincerely,
Robert C Russo
CSS, CLA Engineers
Appendix A: Soil Maps
From USGS Web Soil Survey
Soil Map—State of Connecticut, Eastern Part
(6767J 62 Beechwood Rd)
Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Web Soil Survey
National Cooperative Soil Survey
9/16/2024
Page 1 of 345925104592520459253045925404592550459256045925704592520459253045925404592550459256045925704592580733620733630733640733650733660733670733680733690733700733710733720
733630 733640 733650 733660 733670 733680 733690 733700 733710 733720
41° 27' 2'' N 72° 12' 11'' W41° 27' 2'' N72° 12' 6'' W41° 27' 0'' N
72° 12' 11'' W41° 27' 0'' N
72° 12' 6'' WN
Map projection: Web Mercator Corner coordinates: WGS84 Edge tics: UTM Zone 18N WGS84
0 20 40 80 120
Feet
0 5 10 20 30
Meters
Map Scale: 1:492 if printed on A landscape (11" x 8.5") sheet.
Soil Map may not be valid at this scale.
MAP LEGEND MAP INFORMATION
Area of Interest (AOI)
Area of Interest (AOI)
Soils
Soil Map Unit Polygons
Soil Map Unit Lines
Soil Map Unit Points
Special Point Features
Blowout
Borrow Pit
Clay Spot
Closed Depression
Gravel Pit
Gravelly Spot
Landfill
Lava Flow
Marsh or swamp
Mine or Quarry
Miscellaneous Water
Perennial Water
Rock Outcrop
Saline Spot
Sandy Spot
Severely Eroded Spot
Sinkhole
Slide or Slip
Sodic Spot
Spoil Area
Stony Spot
Very Stony Spot
Wet Spot
Other
Special Line Features
Water Features
Streams and Canals
Transportation
Rails
Interstate Highways
US Routes
Major Roads
Local Roads
Background
Aerial Photography
The soil surveys that comprise your AOI were mapped at
1:12,000.
Warning: Soil Map may not be valid at this scale.
Enlargement of maps beyond the scale of mapping can cause
misunderstanding of the detail of mapping and accuracy of soil
line placement. The maps do not show the small areas of
contrasting soils that could have been shown at a more detailed
scale.
Please rely on the bar scale on each map sheet for map
measurements.
Source of Map: Natural Resources Conservation Service
Web Soil Survey URL:
Coordinate System: Web Mercator (EPSG:3857)
Maps from the Web Soil Survey are based on the Web Mercator
projection, which preserves direction and shape but distorts
distance and area. A projection that preserves area, such as the
Albers equal-area conic projection, should be used if more
accurate calculations of distance or area are required.
This product is generated from the USDA-NRCS certified data as
of the version date(s) listed below.
Soil Survey Area: State of Connecticut, Eastern Part
Survey Area Data: Version 1, Sep 15, 2023
Soil map units are labeled (as space allows) for map scales
1:50,000 or larger.
Date(s) aerial images were photographed: Jun 14, 2022—Oct 6,
2022
The orthophoto or other base map on which the soil lines were
compiled and digitized probably differs from the background
imagery displayed on these maps. As a result, some minor
shifting of map unit boundaries may be evident.
Soil Map—State of Connecticut, Eastern Part
(6767J 62 Beechwood Rd)
Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Web Soil Survey
National Cooperative Soil Survey
9/16/2024
Page 2 of 3
Map Unit Legend
Map Unit Symbol Map Unit Name Acres in AOI Percent of AOI
60C Canton and Charlton fine
sandy loams, 8 to 15 percent
slopes
0.5 100.0%
Totals for Area of Interest 0.5 100.0%
Soil Map—State of Connecticut, Eastern Part 6767J 62 Beechwood Rd
Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Web Soil Survey
National Cooperative Soil Survey
9/16/2024
Page 3 of 3
Appendix B: Natural Diversity Data Base Map
Town of Montville, CT
Oakdale
Mohegan
Uncasville
Palmertown
Greenville
Thamesville
Quaker Hill
Gales FerryChesterfield
Four Corners
Baccus Corner
Montville Center
Montville
Salem
Norwich
Waterford
Bozrah
Ledyard
East Lyme
Preston
Groton
Colchester
Lebanon
New LondonI 395State Hwy 12R
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1
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State Hwy 82
Route 163Stat
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Hwy
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Governor John Davis Lodge TpkeOa
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Raymond Hill R
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Rout
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Forsyth Rd
Bozrah
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State Hwy 2AChesterfi
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Main St
Bishop RdHar
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Fitch Hill Rd
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Mohegan Ave
Moxley RdCH Hil
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Grassy
Hill
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Witter Rd
Shark B
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Norwich - New London RdNorwich Salem Tpke
Cher
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Laurel Hill RdRogers
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Salem Tpke
Long Cove RdLaurel H
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Buckley R
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RdOld Norwich RdChapel Hill RdBoswell Ave
Leffingwell RdCaroline RdScott Hill Rd
Holmes Rd Wawecus H
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RdRoute 161
Derry Hill RdLake RdWay
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Bloomingdale RdStarr StHamilto
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Gay Hill
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Bozrah RdDouglas Ln Wahoo AveAvery Hill RdNoble Hill RdOil Mill RdRound Hill RdMassapeag Rd
Hunts Brook RdOld Salem
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Cliff St
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Bolles LnMassapeag Side RdTribal TrlBri
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Fort Shantok Rd
Corning Rd
Fellow
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Ohio AveUpper Walnut Hill RdEmerald Glen L
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Dr
Depot Rd
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Driscoll
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Haley Rd
Duboi
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Allen
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Fielding DrHillcrest DrWoodchuck
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Osprey DrQuin
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Crystal Lake RdFox RdCrouch AvePollys Ln Curtis StUnger
Rd Lena DrLeitao DrDrawbridge RdPerry Ave
La
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Lower Bart
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13th S
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Barry DrYant
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2nd St
Surrey LnBirch TerJudd RdHunters RunGreen Bri
a
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R
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Perimeter LoopLaurel Point Dr
Rankin Ct
Cardi
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a
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L
nTory DrGlen Crag PlBeckwith Hill Dr Gutterman RdLenas Rd
Quaker Ln
Nordon
A
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Circle A
Blu
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Orchard L
nLang St
Mer
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Trading Cove
D
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Goldmi
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Bartlett RdPa
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State Hwy 2A
I 395Lake RdP
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Chesterfield RdWawecus Hill RdExit 1
Exit 77
Exit 79
Exit 28S
Exit 80E
Exit 78
Exit 29
Exit 2
Exit 80W
Exit 80
Exit 79A
Exit 79A
§¨¦395
§¨¦395
SV163
SV82
SV85
SV214
SV354
SV32
SV2A
SV12
SV161
SV2
SV165
SV2A
Natural Diversity Data Base
December 2024
Areas
NOTE: This map shows known locations
of State and Federal Listed Species and
Critical Habitats. Information on listed
species is collected and compiled by the
Natural Diversity Data Base (NDDB)
from a variety of data sources . Exact
locations of species have been buffered to
produce the generalized locations.
This map is intended for use as a
preliminary screening tool for conducting a
Natural Diversity Data Base Review
Request. To use the map, locate the project
boundaries and any additional affected areas.
If the project is within a hatched area there
may be a potential conflict with a listed
species. For more information, use DEEP
ezFile https://filings.deep.ct.gov/DEEPPortal/
to submit a Request for Natural Diversity
Data Base State Listed Species Review or
Site Assessment. More detailed instructions
are provided along with the request form on
our website.
https://portal.ct.gov/deep-nddbrequest
Use the CTECO Interactive Map Viewers
at http://cteco.uconn.edu to more precisely
search for and locate a site and to view
aerial imagery with NDDB Areas.
QUESTIONS: Department of Energy and
Environmental Protection (DEEP)
79 Elm St, Hartford, CT 06106
email: deep.nddbrequest@ct.gov
Phone: (860) 424-3011
MONTVILLE, CT
0 10.5 Miles ±
Critical Habitat
State and Federal Listed Species
Town Boundary
Appendix C: Wetland Functional Assessment
From U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Highway Methodology
Appendix D: Photographs
Photograph 1, This view is looking south at the culvert outlet.
Photograph 2, This view is looking north towards Beechwood Rd at the culvert outlet.
Photograph 3, This view is looking south at the erosion at 62 Beechwood Rd